Project description:Purines and related heterocycles substituted at C-2 with 4'-sulfamoylanilino and at C-6 with a variety of groups have been synthesized with the aim of achieving selectivity of binding to CDK2 over CDK1. 6-Substituents that favor competitive inhibition at the ATP binding site of CDK2 were identified and typically exhibited 10-80-fold greater inhibition of CDK2 compared to CDK1. Most impressive was 4-((6-([1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl)-9H-purin-2-yl)amino) benzenesulfonamide (73) that exhibited high potency toward CDK2 (IC50 0.044 μM) but was ∼2000-fold less active toward CDK1 (IC50 86 μM). This compound is therefore a useful tool for studies of cell cycle regulation. Crystal structures of inhibitor-kinase complexes showed that the inhibitor stabilizes a glycine-rich loop conformation that shapes the ATP ribose binding pocket and that is preferred in CDK2 but has not been observed in CDK1. This aspect of the active site may be exploited for the design of inhibitors that distinguish between CDK1 and CDK2.
Project description:BackgroundCombined endocrine therapy with a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6 inhibitor has been indicated to improve not only progression-free survival, but also overall survival in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. However, resistance to this combination therapy inevitably develops. How to manage this resistant breast cancer is one of the most important clinical issues. To investigate the mechanisms of action responsible for resistance, we developed breast cancer cells resistant to CDK4/6 inhibitors, and analyzed their biological characteristics and sensitivity to different anticancer agents.MethodsHR-positive, HER2-negative MCF-7 and KPL-1 breast cancer cells were cultivated in palbociclib (PAL) or abemaciclib (ABE)-added culture medium for over 5 months, and we successfully developed PAL- or ABE-resistant cells. The effects of PAL or ABE on the cell growth, basal RB expression, RB phosphorylation, cell cycle and cell senescence were compared between resistant and parental cells. Effects of the other CDK4/6 inhibitor, different chemotherapeutic agents and estrogen on the cell growth were also examined. The expression levels of cyclin D1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin E1 and estrogen receptor (ER)-ɑ were measured using RT-PCR.ResultsLong-term exposure to up to 200 nM PAL or ABE resulted in the development of PAL- or ABE-resistant MCF-7 or KPL-1 breast cancer cells. Basal expression levels of RB in both resistant cells were down-regulated. Inhibitory effects of either PAL or ABE on RB phosphorylation were reduced in both resistant cells. Accordingly, G1-S cell cycle retardation and cell senescence induced by either inhibitor were also attenuated in both resistant cells. Both resistant cells were cross-resistant to the other CDK4/6 inhibitor but almost as equally sensitive to different chemotherapeutic agents (5-fluorouracil, gemcitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, doxorubicin and eribulin) as the parental cells. The mRNA expression level of CDK6 significantly increased in the resistant MCF-7 cells and that of Rb1 significantly decreased in the resistant KPL-1 cells. Although both resistant cells were less sensitive to estrogen than the parental cells, the expression levels of ER-ɑ did not significantly change in either.ConclusionsOur study suggests that acquired resistance to PAL or ABE confers cross-resistance to the other CDK4/6 inhibitor but not to chemotherapeutic agents in HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer cells. Down-regulation of basal RB expression and normalized RB phosphorylation reduced by CDK4/6 inhibitors may be responsible for the attenuated anti-cell growth effects of the inhibitors.
Project description:At the onset of M phase, the activity of somatic Wee1 (Wee1A), the inhibitory kinase for cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), is down-regulated primarily through proteasome-dependent degradation after ubiquitination by the E3 ubiquitin ligase SCF(beta-TrCP). The F-box protein beta-TrCP (beta-transducin repeat-containing protein), the substrate recognition component of the ubiquitin ligase, binds to its substrates through a conserved binding motif (phosphodegron) containing two phosphoserines, DpSGXXpS. Although Wee1A lacks this motif, phosphorylation of serines 53 and 123 (S53 and S123) of Wee1A by polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) and CDK, respectively, are required for binding to beta-TrCP. The sequence surrounding phosphorylated S53 (DpSAFQE) is similar to the conserved beta-TrCP-binding motif; however, the role of S123 phosphorylation (EEGFGSSpSPVK) in beta-TrCP binding was not elucidated. In the present study, we show that phosphorylation of S123 (pS123) by CDK promoted the binding of Wee1A to beta-TrCP through three independent mechanisms. The pS123 not only directly interacted with basic residues in the WD40 repeat domain of beta-TrCP but also primed phosphorylation by two independent protein kinases, Plk1 and CK2 (formerly casein kinase 2), to create two phosphodegrons on Wee1A. In the case of Plk1, S123 phosphorylation created a polo box domain-binding motif (SpSP) on Wee1A to accelerate phosphorylation of S53 by Plk1. CK2 could phosphorylate S121, but only if S123 was phosphorylated first, thereby generating the second beta-TrCP-binding site (EEGFGpS121). Using a specific inhibitor of CK2, we showed that the phosphorylation-dependent degradation of Wee1A is important for the proper onset of mitosis.
Project description:Cancer prevalence and resistance issues in cancer treatment are a significant public health concern globally. Among the existing strategies in cancer therapy, targeting cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs), especially CDK-6 is found to be one of the most promising targets, as this enzyme plays a pivotal role in cell cycle stages and cell proliferation. Cell proliferation is the characteristic feature of cancer giving rise to solid tumours. Our research focuses on creating novel compounds, specifically, pyrazolopyrimidine fused azetidinones, using a groundbreaking molecular hybridization approach to target CDK-6. Through computational investigations, ligand-based pharmacophore modelling, pharmacokinetic studies (ADMET), molecular docking, and dynamics simulations, we identified 18 promising compounds. The pharmacophore model featured one aromatic hydrophobic centre (F1: Aro/Hyd) and two H-bond acceptors (F2 and F3: Acc). Molecular docking results showed favourable binding energies (-6.5 to -8.0 kcal mol-1) and effective hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. The designed compounds demonstrated good ADMET profiles. Specifically, B6 and B18 showed low energy conformation (-7.8 kcal and -7.6 kcal), providing insights into target inhibition compared to the standard drug Palbociclib. Extensive molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of these derivatives. Throughout the 100 ns simulation, the ligand-protein complexes maintained structural stability, with acceptable RMSD values. These compounds hold promise as potential leads in cancer therapy.
Project description:In budding yeast, the essential functions of Hsp70 chaperones Ssa1-4 are regulated through expression level, isoform specificity, and cochaperone activity. Suggesting a novel regulatory paradigm, we find that phosphorylation of Ssa1 T36 within a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) consensus site conserved among Hsp70 proteins alters cochaperone and client interactions. T36 phosphorylation triggers displacement of Ydj1, allowing Ssa1 to bind the G1 cyclin Cln3 and promote its degradation. The stress CDK Pho85 phosphorylates T36 upon nitrogen starvation or pheromone stimulation, destabilizing Cln3 to delay onset of S phase. In turn, the mitotic CDK Cdk1 phosphorylates T36 to block Cln3 accumulation in G2/M. Suggesting broad conservation from yeast to human, CDK-dependent phosphorylation of Hsc70 T38 similarly regulates Cyclin D1 binding and stability. These results establish an active role for Hsp70 chaperones as signal transducers mediating growth control of G1 cyclin abundance and activity.
Project description:Dysregulation of the cyclin D-cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 4/6-INK4-retinoblastoma (Rb) pathway is an important contributor to endocrine therapy resistance. Recent clinical development of selective inhibitors of CDK4 and CDK6 kinases has led to renewed interest in cell cycle regulators, following experience with relatively non-selective pan-CDK inhibitors that often resulted in limited activity and poor safety profiles in the clinic. The highly selective oral CDK 4/6 inhibitors palbociclib (PD0332991), ribociclib (LEE011), and abemaciclib (LY2835219) are able to inhibit the proliferation of Rb-positive tumor cells and have demonstrated dose-dependent growth inhibition in ER+ breast cancer models. In metastatic breast cancer, all three agents are being explored in combination with endocrine therapy in Phase III studies. Results so far indicated promising efficacy and manageable safety profiles, and led to the FDA approval of palbociclib. Phase II-III studies of these agents, in combination with endocrine therapy, are also underway in early breast cancer in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings. Selective CDK 4/6 inhibitors are also being investigated with other targeted agents or chemotherapy in the advanced setting. This article reviews the rationale for targeting cyclin D-CDK 4/6 in hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, provides an overview of the available preclinical and clinical data with CDK 4/6 inhibitors in breast cancer to date, and summarizes the main features of ongoing clinical trials of these new agents in breast cancer. Future trials evaluating further combination strategies with CDK 4/6 backbone and translational studies refining predictive biomarkers are needed to help personalize the optimal treatment regimen for individual patients with ER+ breast cancer.
Project description:Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) regulate cell cycle progression. During tumor development, altered expression and availability of CDKs strongly contribute to impaired cell proliferation, a hallmark of cancer. In recent years, targeted inhibition of CDKs has shown considerable therapeutic benefit in a variety of tumor entities. Their success is reflected in clinical approvals of specific CDK4/6 inhibitors for breast cancer. This review provides a detailed insight into the molecular mechanisms of CDKs as well as a general overview of CDK inhibition. It also summarizes the latest research approaches and current advances in the treatment of head and neck cancer with CDK inhibitors. Instead of monotherapies, combination therapies with CDK inhibitors may especially provide promising results in tumor therapy. Indeed, recent studies have shown a synergistic effect of CDK inhibition together with chemo- and radio- and immunotherapy in cancer treatment to overcome tumor evasion, which may lead to a renaissance of CDK inhibitors.
Project description:Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) have been considered promising drug targets for a number of years, but most CDK inhibitors have failed rigorous clinical testing. Recent studies demonstrating clear anticancer efficacy and reduced toxicity of CDK4/6 inhibitors such as palbociclib and multi-CDK inhibitors such as dinaciclib have rejuvenated the field. Favorable results with palbociclib and its recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval demonstrate that CDK inhibitors with narrow selectivity profiles can have clinical utility for therapy based on individual tumor genetics. A brief overview of results obtained with ATP-competitive inhibitors such as palbociclib and dinaciclib is presented, followed by a compilation of new avenues that have been pursued toward the development of novel, non-ATP-competitive CDK inhibitors. These creative ways to develop CDK inhibitors are presented along with crystal structures of these agents complexed with CDK2 to highlight differences in their binding sites and mechanisms of action. The recent successes of CDK inhibitors in the clinic, combined with the potential for structure-based routes to the development of non-ATP-competitive CDK inhibitors, and evidence that CDK inhibitors may have use in suppressing chromosomal instability and in synthetic lethal drug combinations inspire optimism that CDK inhibitors will become important weapons in the fight against cancer.
Project description:Pho85 is a versatile cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) found in budding yeast that regulates a myriad of eukaryotic cellular functions in concert with 10 cyclins (called Pcls). Unlike cell cycle CDKs that require phosphorylation of a serine/threonine residue by a CDK-activating kinase (CAK) for full activation, Pho85 requires no phosphorylation despite the presence of an equivalent residue. The Pho85-Pcl10 complex is a key regulator of glycogen metabolism by phosphorylating the substrate Gsy2, the predominant, nutritionally regulated form of glycogen synthase. Here we report the crystal structures of Pho85-Pcl10 and its complex with the ATP analog, ATPγS. The structure solidified the mechanism for bypassing CDK phosphorylation to achieve full catalytic activity. An aspartate residue, invariant in all Pcls, acts as a surrogate for the phosphoryl adduct of the phosphorylated, fully activated CDK2, the prototypic cell cycle CDK, complexed with cyclin A. Unlike the canonical recognition motif, SPX(K/R), of phosphorylation sites of substrates of several cell cycle CDKs, the motif in the Gys2 substrate of Pho85-Pcl10 is SPXX. CDK5, an important signal transducer in neural development and the closest known functional homolog of Pho85, does not require phosphorylation either, and we found that in its crystal structure complexed with p25 cyclin a water/hydroxide molecule remarkably plays a similar role to the phosphoryl or aspartate group. Comparison between Pho85-Pcl10, phosphorylated CDK2-cyclin A, and CDK5-p25 complexes reveals the convergent structural characteristics necessary for full kinase activity and the variations in the substrate recognition mechanism.
Project description:The protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, is spread by the tsetse fly and causes trypanosomiasis in humans and animals. Both the life cycle and cell cycle of the parasite are complex. Trypanosomes have eleven cdc2-related kinases (CRKs) and ten cyclins, an unusually large number for a single celled organism. To date, relatively little is known about the function of many of the CRKs and cyclins, and only CRK3 has previously been shown to be cyclin-dependent in vivo. Here we report the identification of a previously uncharacterised CRK:cyclin complex between CRK12 and the putative transcriptional cyclin, CYC9. CRK12:CYC9 interact to form an active protein kinase complex in procyclic and bloodstream T. brucei. Both CRK12 and CYC9 are essential for the proliferation of bloodstream trypanosomes in vitro, and we show that CRK12 is also essential for survival of T. brucei in a mouse model, providing genetic validation of CRK12:CYC9 as a novel drug target for trypanosomiasis. Further, functional characterisation of CRK12 and CYC9 using RNA interference reveals roles for these proteins in endocytosis and cytokinesis, respectively.